How's this for timing? Just as I was writing a piece about 2027's It color, cobalt blue, Kendall Jenner stepped out in Miami carrying a bag in the exact same hue, paired with an LBD. The S/S 27 runways proved over and over that cobalt is the color to add to your wardrobe, and as Jenner proved, a cobalt-colored accessory is the perfect way to start doing so now.
Jenner's bag is a past-season style by The Row, but plenty of brands have been busy making new cobalt-blue bags recently—Bottega Veneta, Reformation, and Staud included. And it's a great way to bring a pop of color to your winter looks to come. The only problem is that they're selling out everywhere. (Trust me—I've been keeping track.) So, my best advice is to add one to your wardrobe now, and I've rounded up the best of the currently available styles. Keep scrolling to shop them while they're still in stock (and to get inspired by Jenner's LBD-and-cobalt-bag look).
Kendall's LBD + Trendy Bag
(Image credit: Backgrid)
(Image credit: Backgrid)
On Kendall Jenner: The Row Morgan Bag
Shop Cobalt Blue Bags
Reformation
Velvet Magic Bag
STAUD
Harlow Suede Shoulder Bag
Bottega Veneta
Giorno Intrecciato Suede Shoulder Bag
ZARA
Leather Shoulder Bag
Alaïa
Mini Calf Hair Shoulder Bag
Fendi
Baguette Soft Medium
Aqua
East West Leather Shoulder Bag
Reformation
Medium Vittoria Tote Bag
MARGESHERWOOD
Soft Boston East West Bag
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Certain perfumes just scream a season. There are florals for spring (original, I know), airy ozones and zesty citruses for summer; and of course, smoky perfumes for winter. Now that we're well and truly in the throes of autumn, I can't help but be drawn to this rather complex and vast category of scents.
Some quite literally bottle the enveloping, heady aroma of bonfire smoke, while others add a smoulder to florals, gourmands and fruits. Blended in the right dosage, smoke adds texture, depth and a certain sensuality that feels unisex. At one end of the spectrum, these scents conjure the platonic ideal of a ’50s-era speakeasy: dimly lit, filled with curls of smoke, cracked-leather armchairs and wood-panelled walls. But it can be as subtle as you like, too, lending a softer, more understated warmth.
"For me, the best smoky fragrances create a sense of intimacy and intrigue," agrees Almira Armstrong, founder of perfume brand, Lumira. "Smoke is especially evocative: it can suggest a fire after dark, incense in a quiet room or the warmth of a place you remember. I think that emotional quality is what makes smoky perfumes so appealing in autumn. They feel like something you can step into."
Of course, it can be hard to get this category right. Per Armstrong, the best smoky perfumes consider proportion and contrast. "A small amount of a smoky note can add depth; too much can dominate everything around it. I love giving smoke room to breathe with something bright at the top, such as citrus, then adding softness through rose, musk or vanilla."
Now, without further ado, the smoky perfumes worth knowing this autumn.
Key notes: Black tea, bergamot, fig, bay leaves, cedar wood, vetiver, musk, tobacco
(Image credit: Nessa Humayun )
If I want something subtly smoky and sexy that I can wear year-round, I inevitably reach for Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29. It’s an icon for a reason. Peppery and woody, with a hint of spice, its black tea note rounds everything out beautifully, keeping it from ever feeling too intense. I think of it as a smoky skin scent, albeit one with excellent projection and staying power, thanks to its tobacco notes.
Key notes: Galbanum, nicotine accord, musk, white orris butter, patchouli, tree moss, vanilla
(Image credit: Nessa Humayun)
Smoky perfumes can have a reputation for being overbearing and stuffy, but not Celine’s Nightclubbing. It has all the classic elements of the fragrance family, rendered in a much lighter, more wearable way. Spritzing it makes me feel as though I’m wrapped in a gigantic fur coat, on my way to some starry, candlelit evening. There’s warmth and depth from the galbanum and patchouli, offset by an airy effervescence from the nicotine accord and a creamy softness from vanilla. I like to think of it as a grown-up perfume for those of us who still feel like we’re cosplaying at adulthood (myself included).
Few things smell more like autumn than a bonfire. If you love the scent of your clothes after an evening spent warming your hands by the flames, Maison Margiela’s By the Fireplace captures it almost literally. It opens with smoky, burning woods, softened by creamy, cosy guaiac wood, cashmeran and clove oil. Notes of chestnut and red berries evoke roasting chestnuts and s’mores, while sumptuous vanilla emerges as the fragrance wears, settling beautifully into the skin.
As Armstrong says, the best smoky perfumes are all about balance, and few notes complement them better than saccharine gourmands. Case in point: Abel’s Coatcheck, which has all the sensuality of the fragrance family but becomes a veritable confection thanks to an enveloping, dessert-like cacao note. It’s rich, creamy and seductive, yet remains fresh on the palate thanks to herbaceous blackcurrant and invigorating coffee. This is a smoky scent for people who think they don’t like smoky fragrances.
The Who What Wear team has often waxed lyrical about Diptyque’s bestselling Orphéon, but I think it deserves even more praise for being a surprisingly understated take on smoky fragrance. Bottling the buzz of Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés, it pays homage to the legendary Orphéon bar, where creatives gathered over liqueur and curls of pipe smoke. Soft, powdery jasmine meets warm tobacco, leaving behind a nostalgic, musky trail that captures the neighbourhood’s bohemian spirit. It’s a true day-to-night smoky scent, too, equally at home in the office as it is at date-night dinner.
Rituals has always been a staple in my bodycare routine, but I was blown away this year when the brand released Aeonian—a collection of eight unisex fine fragrances, blended by master perfumers. Out of the collection, I immediately fell in love with Everlasting Oudh; an intense smoky concoction that completely belies its £88 price point. Dark Oudh is tempered by coffee and herby raspberry, and it just lasts on the skin all day long; in fact, I’ve often been able to smell this on my clothes days after I’ve initially sprayed it. It’s incredible value.
If you like smoky fragrances for the atmosphere they evoke, it doesn't get better than LBTY. Fragrances 1875. Created to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the iconic London department store, this smoky floral scent evokes its hallowed wood-panelled walls and the esteemed visitors it has welcomed over the past century and a half. Rich tobacco smoke and syrupy tuberose flowers conjure up peals of laughter and animated debate, before spicy notes and tobacco add a soft grounding energy. It's a real crowdpleaser, despite being one of the more unique smoky scents in my collection.
Smoky notes pair beautifully with gourmand profiles, of course, but they’re also surprisingly good with soft florals like rose, toughening them up a tad. Réservation Parfums’ Feu de Rose is a masterclass in this, evoking a rose garden at dusk. There’s a gorgeous contrast between honeyed cistus absolute and the spice of nutmeg and clove. It’s a genuinely distinctive scent, and one that always gets people asking when I wear it.
Perhaps the most intense smoky fragrance on this list, Chanel's Le Lion certainly isn't for the faint of heart, and definitely leans more towards evening than day wear. It's a leathery amber scent, rendered even more powerful and animalic through strong notes of labdanum and patchouli. You need a mere spritz for it to fill a room, and its sillage is impressive hours later. It's not a scent that fades into the background—in fact, this is the scent I would wear if I were going for a job promotion; it's that commanding.
Smoky scents are inherently glamorous to me. They conjure the streets of Paris after dark, the boozy excesses of a night out and old Hollywood starlets wrapped in thick furs. One spray of Dior’s Tobacolor transports me to another era, thanks largely to all the tobacco. There are three different tobacco accords here, lending it an old-world feel, but it’s still a scent you could wear every day, thanks to the sweetness of notes like honey, plum and peach.
Key notes: Pink pepper, bergamot, incense, white musk, patchouli, amber
(Image credit: Nessa Humayun)
I fell in love with Loewe’s Smoky Rain on the first spritz. Part of the brand’s new Crafted Collection of niche perfumes, it bottles the smell of petrichor, but takes it somewhere far more elevated. There’s something almost enigmatic about its musky facets; it’s the best kind of skin scent, but with a shot of sex appeal from its smokier notes. I can already tell I’ll be going through a bottle of the stuff this autumn.
How I Tested
Both the wider Who What Wear UK team and our beauty team have tested hundreds of perfumes between us, and we're very familiar with the vast array of smoky fragrances on the market. I've long collected these scents, but for the purposes of this feature, I tested newer offerings as well as my tried and tested for two weeks, judging each on projection, throw, sillage and lasting power.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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With the seasonal shift fully underway, our light, summer pieces have been relegated to the back of the wardrobe and clever layering and tactile accessories are back on the agenda again. Knitwear! Boots! Coats! Shearling! Even the simplest outfits feel considered when you have to plan for just about any kind of weather, but for autumn 2026, there’s no shortage of inspiration for fashionable and functional dressing.
This season is all about finding that sweet spot between timeless investment pieces and directional updates that make your existing wardrobe feel fresh. The best autumn buys are the ones that work hard behind the scenes, seamlessly slotting into your everyday outfits while still feeling special enough to get you excited about wearing them again. As I sit writing this, I'm wearing the same maxi trench coat I've worn for the last three autumns, but it's what I wear underneath differs from year to year. In 2026, the shopping landscape is full of pieces that feel both relevant now and wearable for years to come, but it's often knowing what’s worth your money is half the battle.
With so many new-season buys landing online weekly, it can be difficult to distinguish between the fleeting trends and the pieces that genuinely deserve a place in your wardrobe, but that's where I come in. Whether you’re looking to refresh your everyday rotation, invest in a bag you’ll reach for day after day or simply add a few new-season touches to your existing line-up, I've been keeping an ear to the streets and noting the cult buys that have been quietly bubbling up into major trends.
From the latest craze in knitwear to the long sleeve top good enough to rival the white tee, keep scrolling to see the pieces that fashion insiders are relying on to make getting dressed for the season ahead feel a little more inspiring. Consider this your edit of the very best autumn cult buys worth adding to your basket now.
Style Notes: We already knew that purple was shaping up to be one of autumn/winter 2026’s biggest trends, but when Zoë Kravitz and Jennifer Lawrence recently stepped out in vibrant violet scarves it was clear, it's purple knits that have our full attention right now. As a welcome alternative to the chocolate browns, charcoal greys and classic black that we tend to reach for when the temperatures drop, bright purple is 2026's answer to the previous year's pop of red.
Whether you throw on a chunky purple jumper with straight-leg jeans and boots, or you tie a fine knit around your shoulders for a nod to the trend a la Alice Satterthwaite [pictured above], jumpers, cardigans, scarves and even hats are the easy way to make a statement without straying too far from your everyday uniform. However you choose to style it, purple knitwear feels like a fresh, new season investment distinctive enough to stand out, but timeless enough to revisit next autumn too.
Style Notes: You don't have to reinvent the wheel to come up with sartorial success, and it was Matthieu Blazy's maxi update on the O.G Chanel Flap bag that had us obsessed with the minimalist design all over again. Elegant, practical and effortlessly polished, the classic design of a fold over lid is having a renewed fashion moment, proving that sometimes the most enduring accessories are the ones that make the biggest impact.
While there's always room for tote in every wardrobe, what makes the trend particularly appealing is its versatility. A beautifully crafted flap bag looks just as good with baggy jeans and a cosy knit as it does with a dressier evening look. Whether you’re searching for a designer investment or a high-street find that looks considerably more expensive than it is, the flap bag is one of those rare accessories that manages to feel both on-trend and timeless. Consider it the finishing touch that will make even your simplest autumn outfits feel instantly more put-together.
Style Notes: When the runways and the high street align, you know you've got a cult classic on your hands, and the scoop-neck jumper deserves a place on your autumn wish list. Offering a softer, more feminine alternative to the baggy V-necks we've been wearing over white tees, this underrated shape strikes the perfect balance between elevated elegance and everyday wearability. With Reformation's Jonie knit proving to be an influencer favourite, the high street has followed suit, making a new chunkier, rolled scoop-collar feel like the perfect choice for those who appreciate the power of a good basic with great detailing.
And if the aforementioned purple knits aren't your thing, perhaps the scoop neck could be, as it lends itself well to fine cashmere, cosy wool and relaxed, slightly slouchy fits in a palette of cream, grey and chocolate brown. When a piece like this works so well tucked into straight-leg denim and loafers for an easy weekend look, or loosely over a simple black mini skirt, you know it's the kind of wardrobe staple that doesn't shout for attention, but will quietly earn its place in your autumn rotation for seasons to come.
Style Notes: We already have a lot to thank Conner Ives for, but right now it's for bringing beautifully ornate, fur trimmed coats back into the conversation. It's about time there was a trend to coax us away from the same leather biker jackets we've been reaching for every autumn, and these statement-making coats bring a dose of drama to even the most pared-back outfits. Think ankle-grazing silhouettes, intricate embroidery, tapestry-inspired patterns and sumptuous jacquard fabrics—what's not to love? Whether it comes in a rich jewel tone or maximises on vintage-inspired detailing, the beauty of the duster coat is that it does all the heavy lifting for you.
Wondering how to style such a head-turning piece? Take tips from the runway and celebs, and wear over a simple top and jeans for a fashion-forward approach to "casual" wear. Ornate coats might initially feel like a bold investment, but choosing a design in a wearable colour palette like Rixo's incredibly popular Micah jacket will ensure it earns plenty of outings beyond a single season. Sorry minimalists, this trend serves as a reminder that autumn dressing doesn't have to revolve around understated basics—sometimes, one beautifully detailed piece is all you need to make an outfit memorable.
Style Notes: ICYMI, the humble Henley is making a bid for your capsule wardrobe this season, sitting somewhere between a classic long-sleeved tee and a lightweight knit, but offering a little more interest than your everyday layering piece. This time around, the updated Henley in either ribbed cotton, fine-knit or slightly cropped iterations in autumnal shades of cream, brown and red are being stacked over vests and tees or worn as they are with loose leg jeans, and effortlessly thrown together to tell everyone that the wearer got ready in five minutes (even if it really took an hour).
When temperatures dip, wear a cashmere style under a blazer, suede jacket or wool coat for comfort that doesn't compromise on style. Could this long sleeve be the ideal foundation for autumn layering? I haven't seen anything to convince me otherwise. Understated but full of styling potential, the Henley top is the kind of hardworking basic that will seamlessly slot into your existing wardrobe and make getting dressed on cold, grey days feel that little bit easier.
Shop Henley Tops:
Free People
We The Free Jamie Henley
Rise & Fall
Women's Cashmere Merino Henley Jumper
Massimo Dutti
100% Cotton Long Sleeve Henley T-Shirt
6. Khaki Jeans
(Image credit: @monikh)
Style Notes: No one would ever dare call true blue jeans "dated", but khaki denim is shaping up to be one of the season’s most unexpected but refreshingly welcome trends. While blue and black pairs have dominated our wardrobes for countless years, there's something luxe about the muted, earthy tones and understated appeal that a khaki colourway brings, nodding to utilitarian dressing and making them surprisingly easy to style.
Relaxed, wide-leg and barrel silhouettes have been spotted on the street style set, often paired with equally slubby check shirts or long sleeve tees for a laidback look perfect for off-duty weekends. After also seeing a pair of khaki jeans worn with a royal purple top, I'm convinced that they work just as well with tonal neutrals as they do with richer autumnal shades, so before you buy yet another pair of classic blue straights, try on a distressed, earthy shade and see if it doesn't do the same job.
Style Notes: Heavy hitters Dior, Celine and Givenchy have all put their spin on what could be considered one of the most overlooked accessories in our arsenal, the belt, and given a bold new update in the form of the medallion. There's simply no ignoring this bold, statement hardware and it's worn-in, vintage feel—if any jewellery-inspired finishing touch can bringing a fresh perspective to everyday dressing, its a mecallion, adding interest to everything from classic denim to tailored trousers this autumn. The key to getting the look right lies in letting the belt do the talking—wear it confidently with easy tops and jeans for an effortlessly elevated take, or use it to cinch a blazer or loose-fitting dress for a more considered silhouette. I've been spotting them everywhere in antique gold finishes, but the high street is also picking up on understated designs in silver too, so whether you want to amp up the drama or keep things relatively simple. medallion belts offer an easy way to tap into the season’s continued appetite for accessories with character. Consider this the small styling detail that makes a surprisingly big impact.
Shop Medallion Belts:
Celine
Mini Maison Belt in Taurillon Leather
MANGO
Embossed Buckle Leather Belt
Dior
Médaillon Belt
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